Can unlimited Contributions to Political parties Really Reduce Polarization?

A core problem in American politics is ideological polarization, which makes compromise impossible, not only in Congress but also in the states. Polarization has many causes, most of which can’t be altered. But over the past few years, a growing crowd of scholars has explored the intriguing possibility that stronger parties could reduce polarization.

The logic of this argument goes something like this: Since political parties above all else want to win elections, they should support moderate candidates, who are more likely to win in general elections (as compared to extreme candidates). This is often referred to as the median voter theorem. One way to strengthen parties would be to allow them to raise and control more of the money in the process.­ Leading thinkers like Jonathan Rauch and Rick Pildes, as well as others skeptical of traditional reform approaches, have offered more detailed elaborations of this general point.